The Elder Scrolls Online on PS4: Your Questions Answered

We’ve gotten a ton of great questions from the PlayStation community, who are eager to learn more about the PS4 release of The Elder Scrolls Online. While we’re still several months from the game’s June release, we want to make sure we’re keeping you up-to-date as things progress in development.

One question we’ve been frequently hearing is whether or not a PlayStation Plus membership will be required to play The Elder Scrolls Online on PS4. We kick off with the answer to that, followed by answers to several other questions you’ve submitted via Twitter. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions, and thanks for all your support. We love to hear from the community — keep the questions coming.

Will playing online with The Elder Scrolls Online have a separate subscription compared to PlayStation Plus? — @NathanaelMoner

A PlayStation Plus membership is not required to play The Elder Scrolls Online. PS4 players will only be required to pay the same monthly subscription associated with The Elder Scrolls Online that PC and Mac users will pay—nothing more.

Will PS4 servers be split between EU and NA, or will we be on one megaserver? — @TsoriGaming

They will be split. PS4 users will play The Elder Scrolls Online on either the European PS4 megaserver or the North American PS4 megaserver. We’ll share more details about how this will work closer to launch.

PS4 users will have their own dedicated ESO megaservers (European and North American). PC and Mac users will not be on the PS4 megaservers. This is good news for PS4 players as they won’t have to worry about contending with higher-level PC players when ESO launches on PS4.

How are you guys going to incorporate an action bar on console? Or what will the substitution be?? — @AdamJ_Floyd

We’re still testing and tweaking different DualShock 4 button mapping configurations, but we’re very happy with the gameplay experience on PS4. Abilities are conveniently accessible for fun “on the couch” gameplay, and the team is really happy with how it’s coming along. We’ll have more specifics to share about this topic later this year.

How will you be utilizing and using the touchpad on the PS4 controller in-game? — @SamiRocklynn

We love the additional functionality of the DualShock 4 touchpad. We’re playing with a couple of different button configurations to find the best and most intuitive use for the touchpad.

While details aren’t yet finalized, PS4 offers an HDD with a tremendous amount of memory. There is plenty of HDD memory available for the game and for years of continuous post-launch content that will be released for The Elder Scrolls Online.

How will the controls be mapped on PS4? Will it be similar to Skyrim on a controller? — @Brandon_Roark_

Throughout ESO’s development, our goal has been to create an MMO that is fun to play and is familiar to Skyrim fans. Gameplay in ESO isn’t identical to Skyrim, so naturally we’ve made some button configuration changes to reflect the differences, such as the use of abilities. At the same time, there are a lot of controller configuration similarities between Skyrim and ESO.

Will PvE instances, like dungeons, offer a single player mode? — @maheirem

The Elder Scrolls Online is an MMO that was designed to give the gamer freedom to play with others, or alone. That said, there are instances and areas that are specifically designed and tuned to be taken on with friends.

When does the PlayStation beta start? And when should we expect beta invites? — @Wretched86

We do not yet have a date or timeframe to share, but we can assure you that there will be an ESO beta exclusively for PlayStation 4 fans later this year. Keep an eye on elderscrollsonline.com, as well as here on PlayStation.Blog, for further details!

From all of us here on The Elder Scrolls Online team — a big thanks to the PlayStation community for being so supportive. If you haven’t signed up for the PS4 ESO beta yet, you can do so here.

Sure most of the players will have the PSN Plus membership anyway , and if they want to play the game they will have to pay for the internet , psn plus and the game subscription ? Isnt that bit too much ?

to the people complaining about the sub fee and wonder why its not free to play. i will give one example..GW2, the dev’s of that game have said themselves that just from the box sales only, they could only stay online 3 years, they depend on what they call “whales” to keep this game online. people that pay on average $50 a month at the in game store and on gems. ALL developers have said they make more money from the F2P model than they do just having a sub fee a month. From all the micro-transactions and pay gates. why you people think the F2P model is so much better i have no clue, especially when the dev’s say themselves they make more money of you than if they only had a sub fee a month….. Bottom line ALL MMO’s need money each month to keep the game online 24/7. month after month, year after year. its unavoidable its not free to maintain an MMO like some of you naively think. from bug fixes, customer support 24/7, internal bills like electric bills, building rentals,utilities, employee payroll, server maintenance, constant work on new content for future releases. and on and on and on.

continued:
take ESO for example, its costing them anywhere from 100 to 200 million to make this game. so on 4/4/14 they will be in the hole that much.. if they just relied on the box sales and no sub fee, they would have to sell at the very least 1,666,667 copies at $59.95 just to break even at 100 million, over 3 million if it cost them 200 million, . then what?? you people do know these developers are business right? they arent here just to make great games and give them to the public for free…they want to make great games AND make a profit, just like every business in the world. if you dont like/agree with a sub fee there is a very easy solution..dont buy the game and move on.

Yeah I think the lack of cross-platform servers is a real letdown…most of my friends don’t have ps4s so if I play this ill probably end up having to get the PC version. And yeah I’m pretty sure anyone in the market for this game has a ps plus subscription. What with the fact it’s like a quarter of what this game costs a year <_<

Hello Matt! Please relay the following message to the Bethesda Overlords…

Consider porting the Pc versions of Skyrim and Fallout: New Vegas Game of the year editions to the PS4. These Definitive editions not only will allow Bethesda to print $$$ but it would make up for those less desirable version s we Ps3 owners had endure last generation.

I was going to buy a PS4 just for this game. However, I refuse to pay $15 a month subscription fee on top of a $60 retail price. I’m hoping they decide to debunk the whole subscription fee. Absolutely no way I am paying $180 a year for a videogame.

Alright I feel like you and square enix are both screwing the plus users I don’t want to have to pay for plus and have to pay the subscription for your game. ps4 with plus seems to be not as great of a deal I remember back in e3 sony said the gaikai thing would be free for plus users now its a separate subscription and now I have to pay to play online and pay to play an mmo online man you guys should’ve went the guild wars route. I really do want to get this game for my ps4 but I need more incentive

@38 @55 I think some of you are missing my point and others or rather what we’re saying.

I don’t think ANYONE wants a F2P model in general, I’m saying the game SHOULD be free mixed with tons of mini Micro-transactions what costs between 1.99-5.99 per purchase that helps with grinding, buying additional clothing and other various stuff. When I say free to play I mean the micro-transaction system that is pretty much new starting back in 2008/2009 that ALOT of MMO’s nowadays are starting to adopt and move over towards. We’re going to be seeing more and more of the micro-transaction system coming in the future for all MMO’s.

Hell i’d be perfectly fine if they had us pay $60 for the base game + micro-transaction dlc that will keep the MMO afloat. If you like the game you’ll buy those dlc’s. Plain and system the monthly subscription model is a dying concept and most MMO’s now are no longer staying with that system or using it entirely. I know alot of PC MMO’s within the past 3 years has switched to this model largely because it works much better.

…..(continued)
The Old Republic switched to that because EA felt the 500,000 subs made the game successful and could afford the change. DC Universe Online also switched to this model for similar reasons. It’s not a matter of free to play it’s a matter of micro-transactions that’s what I’m calling fall, that isn’t a mandatory $15 dollars a month, $180 a year.
Think about it, you’re going to be paying $240 in the FIRST YEAR for one stinking game.Do you not realize how ridiculous that is. I could get a prestige edition of call of duty for a 100 dollars less than that or even a new Monitor, more PC ram and a internal HDD for my PC while having money left over for a game. It’s not a great system it’s flawed.

This system Zeni set up will not work especially not with the features they just told us with this article.

Ok, so lets take your suggestion and say that ESO goes Micro-transaction just like SW:TOR

Casual players will pay less or almost nothing.

Hardcore players will pay MORE than a monthly subscription.

Don’t believe me? Take a look at the “Free” options on SW:TOR http://www.swtor.com/free/features. Now, if you want to raid more than once in a while you need to move to a subscription, but wait! they just released a new lightsaber crystal that you can only get in the Cartel Market, or even better that armour set you wanted now you need to pay real money for it as well as raiding.

Simply put, I’m a guy who prefers an all you can eat price. I’d rather pay the $180 a year and be able to consume as much of the content as I want with no restrictions rather than paying $5.99 here and $1.99 there.

Maybe it’s just because I don’t like the idea of payment gates barring my progress through a game. It’s one of the reasons I never got on with the “freemium” idea. I’d much rather know what I’m paying for upfront.

I want to say I’m VERY glad this is a subscription based game. I can’t stand free to play. They are full of kids, trolls, and cheaters. I have been playing MMORPG’s for nearly 20 years, and would never play any game that is free to play. If ESO ever goes free to play, that is the day my account will be closed, and my characters deleted.

i see the 12 year old youngins are still pretending to be 30 and crying about 15 bucks, which you could make with less then part time. products and services cost money kids, time to grow up and see that the silver spoon is gone.

Matt – I beg you, please do not make people pay separate subs for PC and the PS4 version. I intend to pick up the PC version in April and then later buy the PS4 version when it’s released. If I have to pay $30 a month to have both versions then I will only own the PC version.

I really want to buy the PS4 version as well but cannot Justify an extra $15 a month when I will be playing one version less than another. Not allowing your PC account to work on the PS4 will kill alot of sales, it would be a bad idea to do that.

Also, being that the PS4 is a new console, it seems like a bad idea to have NA and Euro users on separate servers, as the big battles with many players in Cyrodiil might be affected. Having all PS4 players on one mega server seems the best choice. With separate servers, the PS4 version would need to sell alot of copies to have a proper community and economy.

@67 Balrathamir – If done right, people who get the micro dlc won’t even spent half the 180 per year on ESO. The fact that you and obvious fails to comprehend that it’s OPTIONAL in the first place will tell you you don’t NEED to pay for those to keep playing; which is not the case with monthly sub. Having your wallet murdered by greeded Zeni trying to milk as much money to the TES fans, and you guys allowing it to happen proves your sheep.

Also may I remind you that you can’t play as an a Imperial Race unless you buy the collectors edition, man I feel bad for anyone picking this game day 1, they’re setting the game up for failure

Or you can have them wave their monthly fee charges since I am a PS + user. I think thats fair since i’m already paying to play online with friends. I’d suggest that, or have yourself lose a ps plus subscription.

I am also curious as to whether one subscription can cover PS4 / PC access. It would be similar to having a second character, but in a place where other friends are playing. Paying for the game twice isn’t a problem, but separate subscriptions will prevent me from playing ESO.

@78 Stealthblade98, you’re right, I don’t NEED to buy everything in the store. I don’t NEED to raid more than once a week. But for the people that WANT to do that the Micro-transaction model will mean they end up paying more.

Just like anyone else I would prefer to get the highest quality for the lowest price. I won’t pretend that I would happily pay $15 when I could get the exact same product for $5.

I just feel that MMOs are better represented when it’s an all inclusive price. Micro-transactions do indeed work well for other genres, I don’t disagree with them in principle however I think ESO and other MMOs ultimately benefit from a more consistent revenue stream which allows the developers the ability to plan ahead with budgets for future content and update patches.

Also, please refrain from stooping to name calling. Just because I have a different opinion than you, which happens to agree with ESO and their policy, does not mean that I am necessarily a “sheep”.

Forgive me if this was answered already, but will the $15/mo subscription fee apply to PSN accounts or consoles? Like, if I pay for my account, can my girlfriend play on hers as well? I’m afraid that’s probably not the case, right?

Pretty sure that 15/month sub fee will be less if bought up as a year sub or 6 month sub, etc.
That’s usually the case with MMO subscription fees. Hell, thats even the case with PS Plus and Xbox Live Gold.

I have a feeling that the ones that are really harping over how upset they are about the fee are the ones that just wanted a new Elder Scrolls games to play. Regardless if it were online or not. They (like myself) just want to play a next gen Elder Scrolls game and this is the only way to do it.

I’ve never gotten into MMO’s before. The only online game thats ever really grabbed my attention was Phantasy Star Online back on the Dreamcast/Gamecube. I still play that game til this day.

But the thing that’s really getting to me about this argument is, why not save your energy and move on to something else if you don’t want to pay the monthly fee? When or if the game fails and moves to a F2P model you can then gloat about it and be on your way to playing a gimped down version of the game inviting you to pay walls, etc.

I am a bit excited for this game, I’ll likely pick it up when it comes out just not sure if I want the PS4 version or the PC version. Im sure there will be a free first month (per usual with mmo’s) and I’ll decide then and there if its a game I want to put money in.

There’s lots of ways you can save 15 dollars if you really wanted to though. Heck, if you’re a smoker, buying one less pack a month saves you about 10 dollars right there.

But if you really have such a hard time saving up say… 3.75 a week from your pay check… then maybe you should get a new job.

Good thing I read this blog before I pre-ordered, paying a monthly fee on top of the retail version is too much for me. I already have PS+ which I paid for to play ONLINE games. Based on the comments above I’ll say the majority of people are not keen on paying 15$ a month for one game, instead of 50$ a year for all other games. I would say Xbox has it right idea, pay for a universal subscription to play online on any games. This is obviously a money grab on their part.

Will their be keyboard and mouse support for the PS4 version of this game? FF14:ARR is having keyboard and mouse support for PS4, it makes sense to have a keyboard and mouse for a MMO, will you please add keyboard and mouse support?

They didnt really answer the question i have been always asking people. What if you have PS plus and you get the game do you still have to pay the monthly fee. I need to know so i dont waste my money then have to pay $15/month after paying like $7/month for Plus.

Subscription based.. seriously, at 2014. It better be a really awesome game if they are gonna charge a subscription, Destiny doesn’t and that game looks freaking awesome. I’m really on the fench here, I might try it out if the game gets stellar reviews, otherwise I’ll just pray for September to come along that much faster.

You’re not “required” to have a ps+ membership to play Elder Scrolls Online… That is so retarded. Practically every person is paying for ps+ because most of their games require it to play online. Stop being bums, Sony. Work a deal out with Bethesda.

Ooh, I don’t need to have a PS+ subscription to play ESO, excuse me while I bust out the champagne and celebrate. Oh wait, I need it for EVERY other game anyway. Either every game is covered for online multiplayer with PS+, or none at all. This half and half junk is obscene.

1.) Are more classes of magic in the game besides destruction and restoration? Can we use alteration and illusion skills? (I have seen no gameplay video that would suggest so)

2.)Can you make more than one character. and if so how many? (I have a feeling that they will charge us for “character slots”

3.)If you are I the world map and someone of an opposing alliance shows up, can you attack on sight? or is that restricted to cyrodiil only? Also can you explore the areas of opposing alliances? (if not we miss out on about 30-40% of the map)

4.)How will trading work? is there an auction house, can you initiate a 1 on 1 trade? or do you just drop things on the ground?

5.)If you get the collectors/imperial edition will all items be bound to you or could you sell your pets and Mora rings?

I was glad when I heard they are going for the subscription model, as I thought this would ensure regular content and would protect the integrity of the game, rather than allowing any cheap transactions or pay-to-win to encroach on the experience. However, having seen the pre-order deals, I believe this game is being created as a pure cash-grab. By withholding the Imperial race and offering mounts, pets and the ability to join any alliance (what’s the point of alliances then), Zenimax are showing their true colours. It’s all about leeching money at the expense of the IP or immersion of the game. Shame.